Train to become a Social Worker
At the Academy of Social Work, Plymouth we are passionate about learning. Each year we offer local universities a range of statutory placements for social work students, from full placements to opportunities for shadowing and observation. We also host internally sponsored candidates through fast track routes such as the Open University's Post Graduate Diploma in Social Work and the Dept for Education's sponsored Step Up to Social Work Scheme.
We take our work with students seriously, with our dedicated team of qualified Practice Educators supporting student development . Our Practice Educators have the skills and knowledge to support qualifying social workers in achieving their ambitions to be first class practitioners. We quality assure our placement opportunities to ensure that delivery remains at the high quality we expect in the Academy. All of the Practice Educators in the Academy have social work lecturer status, having achieved accreditiation as fellow of the Higher Education Academy. This enhnaces their ability to provide students with academic support alongside practice learning elements.
Students can and do make a significant contribution to the co-production of change within children and families social work. They bring new ideas and energy to teams and are welcomed with enthusiasm. Most of the students who have a placement with us, choose to work for us on completion of their qualification, which we think says something about their experiences here and the value of work they have been able to undertake.
We hope that you will become a regular visitor to the website for the Academy of Social Work, Plymouth. We will be regularly posting news, outcomes of research, and articles of interest to help you in your studies and development.
If you are interested, in applying for a fast-tack opportunity through the Open University or Step Up to Social Work programme, keep an eye on our news and forthcoming events page. More information on the Step Up to Social Work programme can be found on the GOV.UK website.
Not every student can achieve a placement within the Academy but do not let that dissuade you from your ambitions to work for us. We can offer newly qualified social workers who have not had a statutory placement, but who want to work for us, a three month paid experience that bridges the gap between your experience and the knowledge and skills needed to take up local authority employment. If this is you, please see information on our Newly Qualified Social Workers page.